Blog – Page 26 – Windhoek Observer

05 Jan

‘War veteran’ term misleading, says Ya Nangoloh

National News

Renthia Kaimbi Human rights activist Phil ya Nangoloh says the term “war veteran” has no legal standing. He criticises Namibia’s veteran policy, noting that it hides a gap in national law that leaves many former soldiers without recognition. In a statement issued on Saturday, Ya Nangoloh said the Veterans Act (2 of 2008) only recognises veterans of the liberation struggle and does not make reference to so-called war veterans. “So many former Swapo comrades and especially those who were in exile, call themselves 'war veterans'. But little did they appear to know that there is no such thing as a…

05 Jan

What do we own? Namibia’s unwritten national balance sheet

Editorial, Featured, Opinions

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s New Year message strikes a hopeful and unifying chord. Her call for unity, compassion, hard work and integrity is timely and necessary as Namibia steps into 2026 facing familiar socio-economic challenges: unemployment, inequality, fiscal pressure and uneven service delivery. The President is right; when Namibians stand together, no challenge is too great. But unity and determination alone are not enough. To truly translate this vision into inclusive growth and national renewal, we must confront a fundamental and largely unanswered question: what do we own as a nation? In households and businesses, progress begins with knowing what is…

05 Jan

Executive directors, technocracy and the developmental state

Opinions

The recent reshuffling of executive directors across several Namibian ministries, as announced by the secretary to the cabinet, has once again brought to the surface a structural ambiguity that has lingered within Namibia’s public administration since independence. While ministerial reshuffles are an accepted and indeed necessary feature of democratic governance, the frequent movement of executive directors raises a more profound institutional question: are executive directors political functionaries, or are they senior technocrats entrusted with the long-term administrative and developmental health of the state? After almost thirty-six years of independence, this question should no longer be unresolved. From both an academic…

05 Jan

Community voices must guide Namibia’s future

Featured, Opinions

Ester Shafashike In a democratic society, decisions that affect the lives of citizens cannot be made in isolation. The principle of community consultancy, seeking public views before implementing any policy or project is not only a moral obligation but also a constitutional and developmental imperative for Namibia. The Constitution of the Republic of Namibia (1990) makes it clear that sovereignty rests with the people. Article 1(1) declares Namibia a democratic state founded upon the will of its citizens, whereas Chapter 3 guarantees freedoms of speech, assembly, and association. These rights are not symbolic, but they are the right tools through…

05 Jan

Fishrot at five years: When courts delay, power decides and victims pay the price

Featured, Opinions

PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar) After reading the allegations involving the so-called fugitive lawyer Marén de Klerk, authorised by the Supreme Court to testify via video link in the Fishcor and Sea Flower Pelagic matter, my blood boiled. That anger was sharpened by the memory of Sacky Shanghala lecturing young Namibians at SWAPO Youth League Youth Day celebrations with astonishing arrogance. The allegations now reveal that the former Minister of Justice allegedly told those involved that they “could all stand to make a lot of money.” If true, this is not a lapse in judgement.…

05 Jan

Government owes N$146.3 billion locally

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira The government domestic debt increased both month-on-month and year-on-year at the end of December 2025. Domestic debt stood at N$146.3 billion, rising by 1% from November and by 16% compared to December 2024. The increase was recorded across Treasury Bills and Internal Registered Stock. As a share of gross domestic product, domestic debt also rose on a monthly and annual basis. By the end of December, domestic debt reached 52.5% of GDP, up by 0.5 percentage points month-on-month and 2.2 percentage points year-on-year, reflecting growth in both treasury bills and internal registered stock. Outstanding treasury bills increased to…

05 Jan

Students get new tool to find accommodation

Observer Money

Staff Writer Namibia’s student housing market is set for a digital shift with the launch of Pozi, a platform that links students and graduates with landlords offering safe and affordable accommodation. The platform aims to simplify the search process while improving security and transparency in the rental market. Each year, thousands of students move to towns and cities for their studies and face costly and stressful housing searches. Many depend on informal networks, which expose them to scams and unsafe living conditions. Landlords also face challenges with tenant management and irregular rental payments. Pozi seeks to address both sides by…

05 Jan

Foreign reserves improve despite slow credit growth

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s official stock of international reserves increased slightly at the end of November 2025, supported mainly by revaluation gains, according to the Bank of Namibia’s (BoN) money and banking statistics. Month-on-month, official reserves rose by 1.2% to N$49.2 billion at the end of November. The increase was driven by favourable price movements on fixed-income securities and a modest rise in customer foreign currency placements by commercial banks. At this level, reserves were enough to cover an estimated 3.2 months of imports, or 3.6 months when oil and gas exploration-related imports are excluded. Liquidity conditions in the banking sector…

05 Jan

Economy still growing but more slowly

Observer Money

Chamwe Kaira Namibia’s economy continues to grow, but at a slower pace. Gross domestic product expanded by 1.9% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025, according to recent data. Growth has remained positive, but momentum has softened compared to 2024, reflecting uneven performance across sectors and continued pressure on domestic demand. Almandro Jansen, an economist at Simonis Storm Securities, said the third-quarter outcome points to a weaker underlying trend than first expected. This follows stronger growth of 2.8% in the first quarter and a softer performance in the second quarter. “Economic activity is still expanding, but the pace has clearly…

05 Jan

Travel insurance essential for safe and stress-free trips

Observer Money

Staff Writer Travel insurance has become a key part of trip planning, whether for a family holiday, a business journey or a short getaway. From medical emergencies to lost luggage and trip cancellations, experts say the right cover can prevent serious financial strain. Franco Feris, chief executive officer at Santam Namibia Limited, said travellers need to understand what their policies actually cover. “Travel insurance isn’t just paperwork for visa applications. It’s a legal contract between you and your insurer, designed to protect you when things don’t go according to plan,” he said. The level of cover depends on the trip.…